ITALY: NIGERIAN BLOWS UP HIS APARTMENT TO AVOID BEING EVICTED

Mantova, 50enne fa esplodere casa per evitare lo sfratto e resta ucciso

Sei i feriti nell'esplosione, erano i carabinieri e i pompieri che lo dovevano tirare fuori

foto Ansa21:39 - Una persona è morta e sei sono rimaste ferite in seguito ad un'esplosione avvenuta in un appartamento a Castiglione delle Stiviere, in provincia di Mantova. A perdere la vita un 50enne di origine nigeriana che ha fatto volontariamente esplodere la casa. L'uomo doveva essere sfrattato e per questo si era asserragliato nell'appartamento. Sul posto sono giunti i carabinieri e i vigili del fuoco per eseguire lo sfratto: sei di loro sono rimasti feriti.
Si era asserragliato in casa da alcuni giorni per non farsi sfrattare. Quando sul posto sono arrivati i carabinieri e i vigili del fuoco per applicare il provvedimento, il cinquantenne ha provocato un'esplosione, forse con una bombola del gas, che lo ha ucciso e ha ferito, in modo non grave, tre vigili del fuoco e due carabinieri.

E' successo a Castiglione delle Stiviere, in un appartamento che si trova in un vicolo a fianco del Duomo, in pieno centro cittadino. La zona è transennata e i carabinieri non fanno avvicinare nessuno, mentre i vigili del fuoco e i tecnici del Comune stanno valutando i danni provocati agli appartamenti e agli edifici vicini.

Non è ancora chiaro se sia stato l'inquilino a fare esplodere la bombola del gas o se avesse da tempo saturato l'ambiente di gas, provocando l'esplosione non appena qualcuno ha suonato il campanello e provocato una scintilla. Quando i soccorritori hanno raggiunto l'alloggio, dopo che l'esplosione aveva investito i tre vigili de fuoco e i due carabinieri, hanno trovato il cinquantenne morto, sotto le macerie.

How BBC caused crisis in the North

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION FALLOUT: North boils *Vice-President Sambo's family house torched in Zaria *Na'Abba's, Tofa's, Salisu Buhari's houses razed in Kano *Emir of Kano's palace, Gov Lamido's company burnt *How BBC caused crisis in the North
Written by Kola Oyelere, Hassan Ibrahim, Ishola Michael, Isaac Shobayo and Dipo Laleye
Tuesday, April 19, 2011

THERE were violent reactions, on Monday, across the northern part of the country to the result of Saturday's presidential election, which saw the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP's) candidate, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, emerge as the winner.

People demonstrate in Nigeria's northern city of Kano where running battles broke out between protesters and soldiers on April 18. A new outbreak of post-poll rioting in northern Nigeria left many dead overnight, the Red Cross said, after President Goodluck Jonathan appealed for unity following his win. (AFP/File/Seyllou Diallo) advertisement

The reactions left in their wake burnt houses of prominent politicians, including Vice-President Namadi Sambo in Zaria, Kaduna State; Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na'Abba and former presidential candidate, Alhaji Bashir Tofa. The palace of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, was also reportedly torched.

Also, a company, said to belong to Governor Lamido was vandalised.

Elsewhere, public places were reportedly vandalised and burnt with a number of people killed in protest against the alleged manipulation of the presidential election result in favour of President Jonathan against Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) candidate, who is from the North.

The youth, whose ages were put between 15 and 20, had alleged manipulation of the result of Saturday's presidential election in favour of the PDP and the perceived connivance of some northern politicians with President Jonathan to stop Major-General Buhari.

Some churches in the Badawa and Na'bawa areas were burnt down, by the youth, who later attempted to attack the Kano State Government House before they were dispersed by security agents, who fired gunshots sporadically for about 10 minutes.

Curfew in Kano, Kaduna
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State government, on Monday, imposed a 24-hour curfew to prevent the youth from causing further havoc in the state capital.

The youth, according to reports, had targeted chieftains of the PDP in the state capital who had to run away with their families for dear life.

In the northern part of the Kaduna metropolis, some places of worship were torched as thick dark smoke billowed into the sky for several hours.

Many people, especially non-indigenes and their families, had since run away to police or army barracks to seek refuge.

Foodstuffs are already becoming scarce, as shops and nearby markets cannot open due to the crisis.

As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that President Jonathan was leading, aggrieved youths in the Tudun Wada area started to heckle PDP supporters and in the process, burnt a famous eatery on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Way-Abuja Road.

Two houses of a local council chairman in the Kabala Costain area were razed while his whereabouts could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

Staunch PDP members in Tudun Wada and adjoining Unguwan Sanusi (names withheld) had to run away, as the mob razed their buildings and vandalised property.

Unconfirmed reports had it that innocent persons were injured as a result of attacks with crude weapons by the Yantauri, those believed to have spiritual protection from knife cuts and other metallic objects.

Although the violence continued to spread to several areas in Kaduna, small planes and helicopters that hovered in the sky scared many of the hoodlums, who scampered and hid to avoid being detected by the security men on surveillance.

The Kaduna State government said it had imposed a 24-hour curfew on the state and all security agencies, including the military, had been ordered to enforce it.

According to reports, in Zaria, several people were reportedly killed in the crisis and a Baptist Church in the city was razed.

The rampaging youth torched the family home of Vice President Namadi Sambo located at the Tudun Wada area of the city.

According to reports, the prison in Zaria was broken by hoodlums but the warders and other security agents had intensified effort to salvage the situation.

Meanwhile, armoured tanks were deployed by the military authorities to strategic parts of the state and combined unit of the police, Civil Defence Corps and other security agents intensified patrol to make sure that people observe the curfew imposed on the state.

In Angwar Romi and Sabo areas of the state capital, youths armed with machetes, cudgels and other dangerous weapons mounted roadblocks and searched vehicles. One of them, who declined to identify himself, said the search was aimed at checking the importation of bombs and other dangerous arms and explosives into their areas by would-be terrorists who might want to take advantage of the crisis to wreak havoc.

The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Kaduna, had in announcements continued to urge the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Hafiz Ringim and the other security agencies to take prompt action in order to bring the situation under control.

The commercial centre of the state capital, Ahmadu Bello Way, as well as the Sheikh Gumi Central Market, remained locked while commercial banks were closed to customers.

Governor Patrick Yakowa said in a live broadcast to the people, that following the outbreak of violence in some areas, the government had imposed a 24-hour curfew on the entire state.

He, however, said for no justifiable reasons, groups of persons in some parts of the state decided to resort to violence and wanton destruction of life and property since Sunday night.

Yakowa said in order to defuse the rising tension and following the advice of the security council, the state government decided to restrict the movement of persons, adding that "the security agencies have been directed to enforce this decision in order to protect the life and property of all law-abiding citizens of our dear state."

He appealed to the people of the state to remain law abiding, calm and stay at home until normalcy returned.

Meanwhile, calm is gradually returning to the city, as people remain indoors, but gunshots were heard from the Camp road/Almannar area of Kaduna GRA where, according to reports, attempts were made by the rampaging youths to torch the family home of the vice-president.

An indefinite curfew has been imposed in and around Kano, following the outbreak of violence which erupted in the commercial city, resulting in the death of no fewer than two persons.

The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Dan'azumi Doma, announced the emergency security measure, after a meeting of heads of security agencies.

The police commissioner said the curfew would be in force until further notice, while warning residents of Kano to remain indoors, as anybody found violating the curfew would be arrested and prosecuted.

"We have imposed an indefinite curfew in Kano State with immediate effect. So all law-abiding citizens are advised, in their own interest, to go to their respective homes and wait for further notice," he said.

As early as 8.00 a.m, on Monday, thousands of irate youths took to the streets, burning homes and mounting roadblocks on some major roads across the city, forcing residents to run for their lives.

In most parts of Kano city, especially Hotoro, Badawa, Sharada, Na'ba-wa, and Dakata, the aggrieved youth attacked homes of some supposed pro-Jonathan politicians, in what was now believed to be a clear case of post-election violence.

A combined team of police and army had been drafted to all streets in the state capital, while the situation remained tense, as most streets were empty and businesses under lock and key.
Activities paralysed in Gombe

Also in Gombe, supporters of the CPC, mainly youths, continued their violent activities and burnt down structures belonging to PDP stalwarts as well as government structures and places of worship around the town, killing one policeman in the process.

A divisional police officer of one of the police divisions was also wounded and was currently receiving treat-ment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gombe.

An eyewitness disclosed that Abuja Quarters was the worst hit, as the rampaging youth targeted the private residence of the state governor, Muhammad Danjuma Goje, as well as houses of other PDP stalwarts in the area, chanting Nigeria sai Buhari.

The youth, who were in their hundreds, carried different sizes of weapons with which they unleashed terror on their victims, a development that made people to desert the streets and went back to their respective homes for cover.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on the phone, the state police commissioner, Suleiman Lawal, said "the situation is under control now, as we have been able to get the irate youth off the streets and normalcy is gradually returning to the town but the restriction of movement from one place to the other remains in order to check the activities of the youth."

Lawal, however, said the rampaging youth could not gain entrance into the Government House as planned, neither were they able to get anywhere close to the private residence of the governor, adding that, "we are on top of the situation, there is no cause for any alarm."

At the time of this report, there were no plans to impose a curfew in the state but the commissioner said the stay at home order would remain in force until normalcy fully returned.

Taskforce curtails protest in Jos
The Special Military Task Force (STF) in charge of security in Plateau State and the police averted a protest by irate youth on Monday over the outcome of the presidential election, held on Saturday.

As the results were being collated and it was discovered that the incumbent President Jonathan was leading, youths in predominantly Hausa/Fulani parts of Jos, precisely Bauchi Road, Nasarawa and Masalaci areas, trooped out in large numbers to protest the results being released.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the youth, armed with weapons, barricaded the areas and lit bonfire along the roads to prevent free flow of movement.

It was learnt that on getting wind of the protest, the STF, led by its commander, Brigadier-General Hassan Umaru, mobilised to the scenes of the protests to arrest the situation.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, STF Public Relations Officer, Captain Charles Ekeocha, who said the cause of the protest was yet to be ascertained, stated that some youths suddenly trooped out at about 10.00 a.m, claiming to be protesting.

Ekeocha, who said the force was able to tactically force the youth to retreat, added that security men had taken over the affected areas and were now patrolling to avoid any breakdown of law and order.

Gov Aliyu calls for peace
The Niger State governor, Dr Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, on Monday, pleaded with the people of the state to give peace a chance and accept the results of the presidential election "as the will of Allah."

Aliyu's call came as markets, shops and public offices were hurriedly closed in Minna, Suleja, Bida and Kontagora, as protesters took to the streets in disagreement with the victory of President Jonathan.

At least five cars, one motorcycle and four places of worship were reportedly burnt in Minna, even as bonfires were lit along the major streets in the state capital.

One of the monuments under construction by the state government in the Kpakungu area of Minna was also burnt by the protesters.

A policeman, who had just closed from duty and was entering his house, was attacked and was battered, even as the hand of a staff member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was chopped off.

Following the inability of the police to contain the situation, heavily armed soldiers were deployed to maintain law and order in all these towns.

No fewer than eight persons who were throwing stones from buildings in the Kpakungu area were arrested and taken to the police headquarters.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Richard Oguche, confirmed the unrests, saying "a large number of arrests have been made."

Jonathan warns perpetrators
President Jonathan has called on those involved in the violence to desist forthwith from the acts, in the interest of peace and stability in the country.

In an address to the people of the country, on Monday, President Jonathan expressed sadness at the occurrence and urged political leaders to prevail on their supporters to stop the riots.

According to the statement, "I have received with great sadness the news of sporadic unrests in some parts of the country, which are not unconnected with last Saturday's elections.

"I appeal to those involved to stop this unnecessary and avoidable conduct, more so at this point in time when a lot of sacrifice has been made by all the citizens of this great country in ensuring the conduct of free and fair elections."

Jonathan noted the positive comments of local and international observers on the integrity of the just-concluded presidential election, which the PDP won and restated that no political ambition was worth the blood of any Nigerian.

"All of us are further encouraged by the comments of the independent election monitors and observers, both domestic and international, on how transparent and credible the elections have been so far.

"Therefore, it is with the deepest sense of responsibility that I call on all our political leaders, especially the contestants, to appeal to their supporters to stop further violence in the interest of stability, peace and well-being of this great country," Jonathan said.

IGP vows to apprehend perpetrators
Meanwhile, The Inspector Gene-ral of Police, Hafiz Ringim, has blamed the riots and violence in some parts of the North in the aftermath of the presidential election on groups and persons that have refused to accept defeat in the election.

Ringim also said the violence was neither ethnic nor religiously-motivated, vowing to apprehend the perpetrators.

A statement from Ringim on Monday said: "the spate of violence is being engineered by persons who failed to accept the results of the last election.

"The security agencies are in the process of identifying and arresting the perpetrators behind this mindless mischief across the country."

How BBC caused crisis in the North
Meanwhile, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service had been blamed for the riots and confusion in Adamawa State, following its alleged broadcast that the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, had won the election in Adamawa State, when the electoral commission in the state was still collating results.

The Special Adviser to the Adamawa State Governor, Aminu Iyawa, told journalists that the BBC broadcast was orchestrated to cause mischief and chaos. He said violence erupted after the electoral commission announced Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP as winner in the state.

http://odili.net/news/source/2011/apr/19/602.html

VIOLENCE IN THE NORTH

Nigerian incumbent's election win spurs unrest

The Associated Press Posted: Apr 18, 2011 10:06 AM ET 

Ex-PM Clark observing Nigerian election

Opposition supporters in Nigeria's Muslim north set fire to homes bearing ruling party banners Monday and heavy gunfire rang out in several towns as election officials released results showing the Christian incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan, had gained an insurmountable lead.

Results from Saturday's election released live on national television indicated Jonathan had a commanding lead of more than 10 million votes with only two states left to be announced. The Muslim north had largely voted for former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.
 

 President Goodluck Jonathan, seen voting on Saturday, had an insurmountable lead with only a few states' results left to count. (Joseph Penney/Reuters) Buhari's party brought a formal complaint Monday afternoon to the national electoral commission over vote tallies, alleging massive rigging in Jonathan's home state. The letter also alleged that the computer software used to tally results had been tampered with in northern states to favour the ruling party.
"What is being exhibited to the world is not collated from polling units but … a lot of manipulations," the letter read.
In a statement, the federal police blamed the violence on "persons who failed to accept the results," denying it came from religious or ethnic roots.
Witnesses said youths in the northern city of Kano were setting fires to homes that bore Jonathan party banners. Heavy gunfire also could be heard. A reporter there saw hundreds of youths carrying wooden planks in the street, shouting "Only Buhari" in the local Hausa language.
In Kaduna, home to the oil-rich nation's vice-president, angry young men burned tires in the streets and threw stones at police and soldiers trying to restore order, witnesses said.
"Right now, I'm holed up in my room. There's gunshots everywhere," said Shehu Sani, a civil rights leader. "They are firing and killing people on the street."
Federal emergency management agency spokesman Yushua Shuaib declined to release casualty figures out of fears it would further stoke sectarian violence.
Nigeria's elections have long been marred by violence and rigging. But voting in Saturday's presidential election had been largely peaceful apart from a hotel blast that wounded eight people and the fatal shooting of a police officer at a polling station.
Nigeria, a country of 150 million people, is divided between the Christian-dominated south and the Muslim north. A dozen states across Nigeria's north have Islamic Shariah law in place, though the area remains under the control of secular state governments.
Jonathan, who became president after his Muslim predecessor died in office last year, has long been considered the front-runner. His ruling People's Democratic Party has dominated politics in the West African giant since it became a democracy 12 years ago.
However, the country's Muslim north remains cold to Jonathan as the Christian from the south who took over after the death of the country's elected Muslim leader.
Many of the north's elite wanted the ruling party to honour an unwritten power-sharing agreement calling for a Muslim candidate to run in this election, yet Jonathan prevailed in the party's primary.
 NEWS

 

NIGERIANS VOTE 2011

Nigerians vote in presidential election

Click to play

The BBC's Will Grant asks whether anyone can beat current President Goodluck Jonathan

Tens of millions of Nigerians have taken part in Africa's biggest presidential election, amid hopes of the most credible poll in two decades.

Votes are already being counted in parts of the country, with official results expected on Monday.
Voting is reported to have generally gone smoothly, despite some reports of fraud and incidents of violence.
President Goodluck Jonathan's main challenger is Muhammadu Buhari, an ex-military leader popular in the north.
Some violence has been reported, with a woman said to have been killed in the central city of Jos and two bomb explosions in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri.
Dozens of people were killed in the run-up to the vote.
The polls closed at 1700 (1600 GMT), but anyone already in the queue by then was still being permitted to vote.
According to the law, counting should start immediately at the polling stations after everyone has voted.
'More sophisticated' Mr Jonathan has staked his reputation on the conduct of the election, repeatedly promising it will be free and fair.

---

This was Nigeria's big day, a chance to prove that Africa's giant could hold a credible election.
In the capital Abuja there was a sense of thrill and excitement as people poured out to vote. Across the country, there were occasional disturbances.
But, overwhelmingly, signs of a calm and a peaceful election are encouraging election observers who say that this day could be a historic step forward for Nigeria's democracy.

He cast his ballot in his home state of Bayelsa in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

After voting, he said the election was a "new dawn in Nigeria's political evolution".
"If the ballot paper means nothing then there is no democracy… Nigeria is now experiencing true democracy where we the politicians have to go to the people," he said.
He said he was confident of victory, but that he would leave office if he lost, adding that he hoped there would not be a run-off because elections cost a "colossal sum of money".
Other challengers for the presidency include former anti-corruption chief Nuhu Ribadu and Kano state governor Ibrahim Shekarau, though both are seen as rank outsiders.
In Daura, home to Gen Buhari, crowds waited for hours despite the intense heat to cast their votes.
"There's a desperate attempt by the ruling party to rig this election in a more sophisticated way," Gen Buhari told the BBC.
"This time around - the level of awareness and commitment by the masses is what has given me some relief."
Gen Buhari added that he had more faith in the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) this time round, adding that "probably 60% of the election will be credible".

Africa's largest oil producer has long been plagued by corruption and has a history of vote fraud and violence.

Reports from Jos say a woman was killed in an argument between voters and election officials.
In other unrest

• An explosion tore through the Maiduguri election commission office on Friday night, and there was another blast at a police station early on Saturday

• An Inec office in Misau, in the north-eastern state of Bauchi, was set on fire when voters found that not enough ballot papers had been sent to the area, and were not satisfied with the explanation from the Inec official

• In Dutse, a town in the north-western state of Jigawa, a Nigerian election observer was reportedly beaten up by security staff of state governor Sule Lamido after witnessing ballot-stuffing

Voters expressed hope that the election would be fairer than previous votes.
Williams Beacher, a voter in Kano, said he had confidence in the new election chiefs.

Continue reading the main story

Presidential Candidates

• Goodluck Jonathan, president - PDP
• Muhammadu Buhari, former military ruler - CPC
• Nuhu Ribadu, former anti-corruption fighter - ACN
• Ibrahim Shekarau, Kano governor - ANPP
• 16 others

"In previous elections, before we finish casting our vote, the national result had already been announced," he said.

Allegations of ballot-stuffing plagued the 2007 election, which brought Mr Jonathan to power as the vice-president.
He took over as president in 2010 when the incumbent died, becoming the first leader from the oil-producing Niger Delta region.
Mr Jonathan's People's Democratic Party lost seats in a parliamentary election last week.
But he remains favourite in opinion polls, and his chances have been boosted after Mr Buhari and Mr Ribadu failed to agree a formal alliance to run against him.
The relatively successful conduct of the parliamentary election has increased confidence in the ability of the electoral commission, Inec, to ensure a fair presidential vote.
With 74 million registered voters, Nigeria has the biggest electorate on the continent.

Nigeria: A nation divided

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) has won all elections since the end of military rule in 1999. It won two-thirds of Nigeria's 36 states last time. But having a southerner - President Goodluck Jonathan - as its candidate in the presidential elections










 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13102541

Fw:Buhari's Six Questions For Goodluck Jonathan/Soyinka’s Comment.

Buhari's Six Questions For Goodluck Jonathan/Soyinka's Comment. 1) Can Mr President explain what happened to the case of N104m seized from Nancy Ebere Nwosu who allegedy swore to an affidat to the EFCC that she was laundering money for Dame Patience Jonathan? 2) What about the announcement by the then EFCC spokesman,Mr Osita Nwajah on September 11, 2006  that the sum of 13.5m USD was seized from another associate of Mrs Jonathan which the anti-graft body said belonged to the now first lady? 3) Any explanation on the several billions of Naira which DSP Alamiesegha left in Bayelsa coffers as at the time of his impeachment  which was allegedy squandered in months by Jonathan without anything to show for it? 4) Who presided over the FEC meeting in October  2009  where a 4 km runnway at Abuja Airport was awarded for N64b?Late Predident Yaradua was already in Saudi Hospital as at the time! 5 What happened to the 30b USD Yaradua left in the excess crude account that is virtually empty now? 6 How come it  is only Nigeria under Jonathan whose foreign reserve is depleting among oil producing nations at a time of all time high increase in prices of oil products? Prof. Wole Soyinka's Comments. "It'll take total blindness to vote PDP in 2011. Only 4 sets of people can vote for them;  (1) Those who are intellectually blind.  (2) Those who are blinded by ethnicity. (3) Those who are blinded by corruption & therefore afraid of d unknown, should power change hands; and finally (4) Those who are suffering from a combination of the above terminal sicknesses"  ------------------ Prof

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RIP OTABOR

Okey,

   I just heard of the passing on of Itabor.
May his gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace and may
Almighty God continue to guide those he has left behind.
\may he give them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
I got to know Itabor while i was serving in the Nigerian Embassy, Rome between 2000 and 2003.
He was then the President of Edo Union. Eventhough we didnt start on a good footing, we eventually became friends
and he was a close collaborator with the Embassy, he assisted us in using his position, at the time, to solve some problems.
Once again, may his soul find solace in the bossom of the Lord, Amen.


Hakeem Toyin Balogun
(Formerly with Nigeria Embassy Rome)

HTB

 

---

To: italo_naija@yahoogroups.com
From: chukwubike@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 19 Mar 2011 01:13:37 +0100
Subject: [ITALO_NAIJA] RIP OTABOR

__._

Nigeria Re-builds Security Capacity

Sunday, February 27, 2011 Nigeria Re-builds Security Capacity
From Oghogho Obayuwana, Abuja

WITH the aid of some Israeli experts, Nigeria has quietly been re-building its security capacity in a bid to ensure that the country is not hit any harder by terror blows, The Guardian, has learnt.

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The renewed efforts, aimed at winning the war against terrorism on Nigerian shores, would be given a visible cloak before the April general elections.

High-level sources at the Ministry of Foreign affairs, Presidency and Israeli embassy confirmed the silent collaborative drive with the Israeli concerns.

They, however, declined details on cost of training, equipment and installation.  

They were also silent on whether, or not, government has reviewed the $260 million contract signed in 2006 with an Israeli security company, Aeronautics Ltd, for the Planes-without-pilot project.  Nigeria hopes, through this, to also develop a national coastal defence alignment based mainly on unmanned platforms.

A high-level source said that the implementation of the planes-without-pilots project for aerial surveillance "has begun, much of the equipment is already in Nigeria.  Our personnel have been steadily sent to Israel, also from the State Security Service (SSS) as well as the police. They are guests of the Israeli homeland security.
Discussions are on with the National security adviser for the building of an enduring security programme to work on anti-terrorism squad, bombs and disarmament. Training on how to find explosives, intelligence is the most crucial. It constitutes 80 per cent of the war on terrorism.

 
"If you developed intelligence, you can intercept phone calls, track emails, put people on ground or have high spies. We have gone to the global security problem solvers. You know that Israel has no terrorism issues since 2002 after the Ariel Sharon saga despite the fact that the country's enemies are in some countries that are just five minutes away."

By the end of last week, the Federal Government had become satisfied with the preliminary effects of the security ring already thrown around Abuja, which, sources said, was largely responsible for the overall peaceful and tension-free national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held at the Eagle square last December. 
http://odili.net/news/source/2011/feb/27/10.html

Libya protest: FG on alert to evacuate Nigerians from Libya

Libya protest: FG on alert to evacuate Nigerians from Libya

Written by Christian Okeke, Abuja Tuesday, 22 February 2011

AS protests against the 40-year rule of Moammar Gadhafi escalate, indications emerged on Monday that the Federal Government was on a red alert to evacuate Nigerian citizens out of that country.

The number of Nigerians living in Libya could not be ascertained as at the time of this report but the Nigerian Tribune’s investigations revealed that the situation in the country was giving officials, especially those at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, sleepless nights and contingency evacuation was being contemplated as soon as it became extremely imperative.

The Federal Government evacuated over 1,100 Nigerians from Egypt when similar protests rocked the country against the government of Hosni Mubarak.

Confirming the stand-by stance of the government, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Aliyu Idi Hong, told the Nigerian Tribune on telephone that the Federal Government would take up contingency evacuation of Nigerians in Libya if it became extremely imperative.

The minister disclosed that the government was preparing to move in at any moment.

He, however, described as speculative the report that Nigerians were among those killed in the ongoing protests and maintained that the ministry was yet to receive any official report from the country’s embassy in Tripoli.

Dr Hong said, “I didn’t even hear anything like that; otherwise our embassy in Tripoli should have informed us. There is no official communication yet, but we are studying the situation to see if we can get a report.

“We are preparing to move in as soon as it becomes necessary. We are keeping a very close look at the situation and will take up contingency evacuation at any moment”, he added.

The minister went further to admit that, “Nigeria and Libya have diplomatic relationship.”
 

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/17874-libya-protest-fg-on-alert-to-evacuate-nigerians-from-libya